der
Rasen
What does 'der Rasen' mean? 🌱
Der Rasen (noun, masculine) refers to a densely grown green area, usually in gardens, parks, or on sports fields, which is regularly mown and consists mainly of grasses. In English, this translates to lawn or turf.
There is only this one main meaning for the noun 'der Rasen'.
🚨 Watch out: Don't confuse it with the verb rasen (to speed, to race, to rush).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-en → mostly masculine.
1. All diminutives with '-chen' are neutral, like 'das Mädchen'. 2. Nouns derived from verbs are always neutral ('das Schrieben'). 3. There are many -en words, we won't list them all.
Grammar of 'der Rasen' in detail 🧐
The noun 'der Rasen' is masculine. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Rasen |
| Genitive | des | Rasens |
| Dative | dem | Rasen |
| Accusative | den | Rasen |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Rasen |
| Genitive | der | Rasen |
| Dative | den | Rasen |
| Accusative | die | Rasen |
Example Sentences 例文
- Der Rasen im Garten muss gemäht werden. (The lawn in the garden needs to be mown.)
- Die Kinder spielen auf dem Rasen. (The children are playing on the lawn.)
- Ein gepflegter Rasen ist das Aushängeschild des Hauses. (A well-kept lawn is the pride of the house.)
- Der Fußballplatz hat einen Kunstrasen, keinen echten Rasen. (The football pitch has artificial turf, not real grass/turf.)
How to use 'der Rasen' 🗣️
Der Rasen is mainly used in the context of gardens, parks, and sports facilities.
- Typical verbs: mähen (to mow), säen (to sow), düngen (to fertilize), vertikutieren (to scarify), bewässern (to water), betreten (to walk on/enter).
- Context: Gartenpflege (garden care), Freizeitaktivitäten (leisure activities, e.g., picnics, ball games), Sport (sports like football, golf).
- Comparison: A Wiese (meadow) is often more natural, less maintained, and more biodiverse than a Rasen (lawn). Gras (grass) refers to the individual plant, while Rasen refers to the area covered with it.
Memory aids for 'der Rasen' 🤔
- Article Mnemonic: Think of 'der Gärtner' (the male gardener) who mows 'der Rasen'. The lawn is the man's (masculine -> der) green carpet.
- Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you want to 'race-n' (sounds like Rasen) across the green lawn – but be careful not to damage it!
The strong man ('der') takes care of his green carpet – 'den Rasen'.
Similar and opposite terms 🔄
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Grasfläche: A surface covered with grass (more neutral term).
- Grünfläche: A general term for a planted area, not necessarily just grass.
- Wiese: Meadow, often more natural with flowers and herbs.
- (Colloquial) Grün: Green area, e.g., „auf dem Grün spielen“ (to play on the green).
Potential Confusion:
- rasen (verb): To speed, race, rush. Completely different meaning!
- die Rasse (noun): Breed or race (of animals/plants). Different gender and meaning.
A little joke 😄
Warum hat der Gärtner schlechte Laune?
– Weil ihm sein Chef ständig auf dem Rasen herumtrampelt!
Translation: Why is the gardener in a bad mood?
– Because his boss is constantly trampling on the lawn!
A poem about the lawn 📜
Der Rasen liegt so grün und breit,
bereit für Spiel und Sommerzeit.
Der Mäher summt sein leises Lied,
damit er schön und ordentlich blieb.
Ein Teppich weich, von Tau benetzt,
hat sich die Katze draufgesetzt.
Translation:
The lawn lies so green and wide,
ready for games and summertime.
The mower hums its quiet song,
so it stays neat and nice for long.
A carpet soft, with dew alight,
the cat sat down with all its might.
Who or what am I? ❓
Ich bin grün und wachse dicht,
doch Bäume sind auf mir wohl nicht.
Man mäht mich kurz für Sport und Spiel,
im Garten bin ich oft das Ziel.
Was bin ich?
(Lösung: der Rasen)
Translation:
I am green and grow densely,
but trees are probably not on me.
I am mown short for sports and games,
in the garden, I'm often the aim.
What am I?
(Answer: the lawn / der Rasen)
Trivia & More 💡
- Word Components: The word 'Rasen' itself is a basic word, but it forms many compounds like Rasenmäher (lawnmower), Rasensprenger (sprinkler), Kunstrasen (artificial turf), Rasenpflege (lawn care).
- Trivia: The 'Englischer Rasen' (English lawn) is known for its particularly dense, fine, and well-maintained structure.
- Common Phrase: "Den Rasen betreten verboten!" – A classic 'Keep off the grass!' sign.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Rasen?
The noun Rasen is masculine: der Rasen. It means lawn or turf – a maintained area of mown grass, typically found in gardens or on sports fields.